Pastor Larson’s Corner: Living water

I recently planted a row of Hosta alongside my boathouse, and they all grew normally except for one. One of the plants grew twice the size of all the others in the same amount of time. I wondered about this until I noticed that my garden hose that brings water to my garden from the lake had a small leak and was watering this one Hosta on a very regular basis. This steady supply of water made all the difference in the world for the rate of growth and general health of this plant.

This fast-growing and healthy Hosta reminded me of something Jesus once said. He said that He gives us “living water” and that this water becomes like a spring welling up inside of us. The Hosta in my yard had a steady source of water on which it could depend for its growth and development. In a similar way, when we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, you and I have a steady source of “living water” upon which we can draw for our spiritual growth and development. And this water will always be with us. No one can take it from us. At any time and in any place we can draw upon this “living water” to get through the most difficult of times.

It was amazing to me how the Hosta that received a steady supply of water soon looked altogether different from the others planted nearby. It was not only larger but much stronger and healthier. As we are nourished by the “living water” that dwells deep within us, we will grow spiritually stronger. This live-giving water will, as Jesus says, give us new life, a life that begins now and continues through all eternity.

Pastor Larson’s Corner is written by Jerry Larson and appears weekly in the Norwegian American Weekly.

Pastor Jerry Larson retired to his cabin in Zimmerman, Minn., after 39 years in parish ministry for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In 2011 he published a book entitled “Speaking the Word Freely: Writing with purpose, preaching with power.” Contact him at jerlarson@visi.com

This article originally appeared in the July 17, 2015, issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.

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